Sally Mann

Vestfossen has tried to reach out to a broad audience from the first day. With its Sally Mann exhibition, some of the attention it attracted was unexpected.

In 2010, American photographer Sally Mann (b. 1951) was regarded as one of her generation’s most renowned and respected photographic artists. But her use of her family as motifs was controversial. As early as January, Drammens Tidende ran the headline: ‘Sally Mann to show photos of naked children at Vestfossen’.

This sexualised way of viewing her images has only become more pronounced in the years since. It was, therefore, important to let the pictures speak for themselves. At the same time, in her catalogue essay curator Mari F. Sundet had the opportunity to discuss the various issues that were involved, including the status of the image as representation.

Participating artists

• Sally Mann